Drinks on Deck: el Bait Shop

The scene: Any day of the week (when the weather cooperates) you'll find el Bait Shop's patio buzzing with activity. A popular spot to stop after Iowa Cubs games, the patio has several large tables where you can throw back a few cold ones after the game. Decorated with beer signs and other random memorabilia, the patio is a complementary extension to the mix of decor inside. Wear your jeans and T-shirt, sundress or work clothes - the crowd is as eclectic as the bar.

The drinks: With 105 beers on tap and 170 more in bottles and cans, you can order just about any brew you feel like. Although I'm a beer girl, I decided to switch it up and order a margarita. It sounded like a more refreshing option given the warm weather, so my friends and I split a pitcher. The lime cocktail was a perfect blend of sweet and sour, but the sun melted our ice cubes. Later, I couldn't resist the urge for a draft, so I ordered a Leini's Honey Weiss. Nothing fancy, but chilling on el Bait Shop's patio does not call for fancy.

What we saw: Mainly rowdy groups of T-shirt-clad guys and hippie gals huddled under Boulevard, Dos Equis, and Summit umbrellas, singing along to The Eagles. With a 26-capacity bike rack, different packs of cyclists routinely stopped by for drinks - many didn't even bother to take their helmets off to gulp a few down before taking off again. We headed for the door when a packed party bus pulled into the lot around 9 p.m.

Why you should go: If you're looking for an energetic spot to get your night started, this is the place. Loud '70s music, a great menu for dinner (Mexican-barbecue anyone?) and quick drinks are the perfect setup for an evening downtown.